47.208-1
Advance notice
Contractors must provide timely advance notice to designated government receiving activities for certain sensitive, hazardous, or controlled shipments to ensure efficient logistics and avoid extra charges.
Overview
FAR 47.208-1 requires contractors to provide advance notice to military and, when applicable, civilian agency storage and distribution points, depots, and other receiving activities when shipping certain types of materials from their plants. This advance notice is generally mandated for classified, sensitive, controlled, protected, explosive, hazardous materials, and specific shipments that require movement control or meet minimum carload/truckload criteria. The purpose is to allow receiving activities to prepare for the shipment, arrange for transportation control, labor, space, and materials handling equipment, and to avoid unnecessary costs such as demurrage and vehicle detention charges.
Key Rules
- Advance Notice Requirement
- Contractors must notify designated receiving activities in advance when shipping specified materials.
- Scope of Shipments
- Applies to classified, sensitive, controlled, protected, explosive, hazardous materials, and certain large or movement-controlled shipments.
- Purpose of Notification
- Enables efficient planning for receipt, handling, and storage, and helps avoid extra charges.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Ensure contracts include requirements for advance notice and monitor contractor compliance.
- Contractors: Provide timely advance notice for applicable shipments as specified in the contract.
- Agencies: Oversee receipt of notices and coordinate logistics to prevent delays and extra costs.
Practical Implications
- This regulation exists to streamline logistics and prevent costly delays or penalties at government receiving points.
- Contractors must be diligent in identifying when advance notice is required and ensure timely communication with the appropriate agency offices.
- Common pitfalls include failing to notify on time or overlooking shipments that fall under the specified categories, leading to operational disruptions or financial penalties.